AFL Round 16 Preview

Adelaide v Western Bulldogs
Friday night footy at Adelaide Oval and this game has become season defining for the Bulldogs. The past few games have been split between the two sides and this will be the first time they meet at Adelaide Oval. It’s been a cold wet week in Adelaide and the rain looks like it will be a nuisance tonight more than anything. The Dogs have made four changes to their side and the Crows three with forgotten mid fielder Scott Thompson forcing the selectors to pick him. The Dogs goal kicking woes continue and this has cost them a couple games already this year. The Crows started the year in a blaze of glory but have been a bit off the past few weeks and seem to have lost their mojo. At home the Crows should get the edge on the wounded Doggies but you can’t cunt the Dogs out just yet.
Predict Adelaide win 22 points

Hawthorn v GWS
The Giants sit nicely on top of the ladder while the Hawks sit in 13th. The Hawks have been ok without winning a huge amount of games while the Giants have been a bit wobbly the last 3 weeks. The game down in Tassie adds another dimension to the contest while it doesn’t seem like the same fortress it was in the past for the Hawks they are still intimidating there. The /Giants seem like a team who have it all before them but are afraid to fail. With the depth of their list and the quality of their players they should be starting to launch toward the finals but something seems a little off. The Giants should get the job done but don’t write off the Hawks they will have a few surprises left up their sleeve and would love to rock a few of the top sides.
Predict GWS win 9 points

Collingwood v Essendon
It doesn’t get much bigger than Bombers and Magpies at the MCG. The Bombers dropped the ball last week against the Lions and shows there is little between sides if you are off your game even a little. The Bombers are good enough to be in the top eight but have let a couple games slip that they shouldn’t have. This becomes a huge must win for Bombers. The Pies a couple weeks ago looked like they were about to make their way up the ladder and had a chance to sneak into the top eight before losing the last three games. Both sides are prone to bad goal kicking and it could be the difference in who wins and who loses. Expecting a big game from Merrett and Daniher for the Bombers. Bombers to get the win here to get their season back on track, for the Pies it’s more misery and more pressure on Buckley.
Predict Essendon win 19 points

Sydney v Gold Coast
The Swans have somehow managed to find their way back to 9th on the ladder and only a game out of the top eight. After getting a win for Ablett’s 300th he is set to miss another week with a hamstring injury. The transformation of the Swans season has been one for the ages! They have won 7 out of the past 8 games and are the hottest team in the AFL right now. They are too classy and too experienced to let a game like this one slip. It could get ugly for the Suns if the Swans get their kicking boots on, the pressure is back for the Swans they don’t let teams have a lot of breathing and on the tiny SCG this is amplified.
Predict Sydney win 51 points

Brisbane v Geelong
The Lions should go into this game with plenty of confidence after their come from behind win against the Bombers. The Cats are coming off a draw against the Giants and will be kicking themselves for that missed opportunity. The Lions will give themselves a chance the Cats last trip to Queensland ended with the Suns beating them. The Lions get back Beams for this game in a big boost for their mid field, the Cats welcome back Selwood which is as big of an in as any. On any given day this would be a Cats win with relative ease but as the last few weeks have shown anything can and has happened in the AFL.
Predict Geelong win 27 points

Saint Kilda v Richmond
In what is shaping as one of the games of the round the Tigers sitting 4th and the Saints after a gutsy win last week against the Dockers are sitting 8th. Both sides will be desperate for the win the Saints trying to hold onto eight the Tigers fourth. Which one of these sides will take their chance and cement themselves as one of the finals contenders. The Saints coming back from the West and the Tigers back from a win in Adelaide while not super impressive in style was as gutsy as they come.

Martin has been firing on all cylinders and Jack Riewoldt is starting to be a dominant target up forward, Rance was super impressive in the second half last week. The Saints continue to just stay ahead of the pack and are building into an impressive team and these are the chances they need to take. Expect a low scoring hard slog with a goal or two the difference all game.
Predict Richmond win 7 points

North Melbourne v Fremantle
Two teams out of finals contention now but with plenty left to play for. The Kangaroos season has been one of many near misses but in reality they are were they should be a young team trying to rebuild. The Dockers have been good at times then disappointing for the rest. Both sides have made four changes in what should be an intriguing battle. The Kangaroos have been fast starters in most games and look for them to continue that trend today they should be able to jump out the gates then it will be a matter of holding on for a win. The Dockers will give their all but won’t be enough today away from home.
Predict North Melbourne win 29 points

Carlton v Melbourne

The Demons desperate to hang onto their spot in the top eight and a win today will keep them ahead of the chasing pack. The Blues continue to impress with their dour defence and no nonsense footy. While the may not be in finals contention they will relish knocking off some of their old rivals and they don’t come much bigger than the Demons. The Demons have won four of their past 5 with the only loss to the Swans who are on a hot streak. The Blues have dropped their last two games without being disgraced. The Demons will probably have a little too much class today but it will be tight.
Predict Melbourne win 13 points

West Coast v Port Adelaide.

The Eagles have had good record against the Power and are starting to build the Fortress again in W.A. Port have been found out all yeah against other top eight sides and will need a win here to get some credibility back. The Eagles have made four changes and need the win to stay in touch with the eight. The inclusions are all pretty big names for the Eagles and could be the difference in the game. Everything points to the Eagles grinding out a win here, but the Power are so very capable of putting up some massive scores. Should be a cracker of a game!
Predict West Coast win 11 points